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Ottawa, Ontario, June 17, 2026

The annual reports of the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner explain how it helps elected and appointed federal officials avoid and manage conflicts of interest. Its latest reports, covering April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, were tabled today in Parliament.

• 2025-2026 Annual Report under the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons
• 2025-2026 Annual Report under the Conflict of Interest Act

Activities in a range of areas supported three key objectives:

• Help elected and appointed federal officials manage their conflicts of interest so competent and qualified people can move in and out of public service without difficulty.
• Review and report on allegations of conflict of interest.
• Help Canadians trust that the actions of elected and appointed federal officials are free from conflicts of interest.

Activity highlights

• Advised elected and appointed officials over 2,500 times and completed 600 initial compliance processes. This number reflects high turnover among officials resulting from the April 2025 general election.
• Appeared 3 times before parliamentary committees, including as part of a review of the Conflict of Interest Act conducted by the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.
• Responded to over 1,800 public and media inquiries.
• Looked into 32 concerns about possible contraventions.
• Developed 2 online training modules and delivered 39 live educational sessions on the Conflict of Interest Act.
• April 2025 was the first general election after mandatory Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons training was introduced in 2023. Using the Commissioner’s Office online module, 328 Members elected in 2025-2026 completed the training.

Quote from Commissioner von Finckenstein

“Our annual reports explain what the Commissioner’s Office did in 2025-2026 to administer the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons and the Conflict of Interest Act. We helped elected and appointed officials understand the rules and advised on how to follow them. The reports also show how everything is aimed at helping Canadians trust that those officials are acting in the public interest.”

Quick facts

• The Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons applies to all 343 Members of Parliament. Members who are ministers or parliamentary secretaries must also follow the Conflict of Interest Act.
• The Conflict of Interest Act applies to about 3,000 people appointed to their position by the Governor in Council or a minister. On March 31, 2026, more than 2,800 people were subject to the Act.
• The Commissioner’s Office maintains a searchable public registry. It contains all the information about elected and appointed officials that the Commissioner can make public. There were over 190,000 visits to the registry in 2025-2026. The average for the last five years was 126,900 visits.

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For more information, please call 613-995-0721 or send us an email.

Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

Honourable Konrad W. von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.,
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Ottawa, Ontario, June 11, 2026

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I am pleased to appear before the Committee today.

With me are Lisa DeMoor, Director of Advisory and Compliance, and Michael Aquilino, Legal Counsel.

The subject of the motion that brings me before the Committee today revolves around a potential conflict of interest of the Minister of Finance, François-Philippe Champagne.

He has been facing scrutiny for his role in government decisions and votes on support for Alto and high-speed rail. It has been suggested that he was in a conflict of interest because those decisions and votes could benefit a Vice-President at Alto, someone the Minister has a close relationship with.

Mr. Champagne is subject to the Conflict of Interest Act in his role as a minister.

Under the Act, a public office holder is in a conflict of interest if they exercise an official power, duty or function that provides an opportunity to:

• One, further their private interests,
• Two, further the private interests of their relatives and friends, or
• Three, improperly further the private interests of anyone else.

There are three key points to consider.

One, the Minister has no control or authority over Alto.

It is a wholly owned subsidiary of a Crown corporation that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Transport—not the Minister of Finance.

Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

Honourable Konrad W. von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.,
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Ottawa, Ontario, May 4, 2026​​

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Mr. Chair and honourable members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me to speak about the Commissioner's Office's 2025-2026 budgetary submission and the role it plays in safeguarding public confidence in the integrity of Parliament and government institutions.

Joining me today are Anne-Marie Roy, Manager of Financial Services, and Melanie Rushworth, Director of Communications, Outreach and Planning.

The Commissioner's Office administers the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons and the Conflict of Interest Act. For ministers, their staff and order-in-council appointees, these regimes apply to approximately 3,200 elected and appointed officials, touching nearly every level of federal decision-making.

We take a mandate-focused approach that advances three key objectives.

First, we help elected and appointed officials identify and manage conflicts of interest, ensuring that competent and qualified people can enter and leave public service while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Second, we review and report on allegations of conflict of interest in a fair, independent, and transparent manner.

Third, and most importantly, we help Canadians maintain confidence that the actions of elected and appointed federal officials are free from conflicts of interest and improper influence. Ultimately, all of our work supports this key objective.

The Commissioner's Office employs approximately 50 people. Our organizational structures, policies and processes are designed to support efficient operations and responsible stewardship of public funds.

Efficiency is also central to our annual spending review.

For 2026-2027, we are requesting a modest budgetary increase of $227,000. This represents a 2.5% increase and would bring our total budget to just under $9.4 million. The increase is largely attributable to cost pressures, including a 2% salary increase consistent with other parliamentary entities and corresponding adjustments to the employer portion of the employee benefit plan, which is set by Treasury Board.

Our largest operational expense is our information technology services agreement, which we are obliged to make with the House of Commons, which represents $878,000 or 57% of our operating budget. We work closely with our House partners to ensure these systems remain secure and reliable, supporting both operational continuity and the protection of sensitive information.

Ms. Roy, Ms. Rushworth, and I would be pleased to answer the Committee's questions about the Office, its finances, or its operations.​​​​

Ottawa, Ontario, April 8, 2026

In an​ investigation report​ released today, Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein found that Christiane Fox breached a provision of the Conflict of Interest Act while serving as Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Specifically, she breached section 9. It prohibits public office holders from using their position to seek to influence another person's decision to further their private (mostly financial) interests or those of their relatives or friends, or to improperly further the private interests of another person.

The Commissioner found that Ms. Fox used her position as Deputy Minister to influence her Assistant Deputy Minister and other departmental officials to hire an individual, whom she had referred, an individual with no government experience or experience relevant to the work unit, at a management level that departmental officials had advised he was not qualified for.

The evidence showed that Ms. Fox sent the individual's résumé to the department with the expectation that officials would quickly meet with him, sought updates on the hiring process from the individual and the department, and shared an internal document with the individual to help him prepare for an interview.

In using her position to influence the hiring decision, Ms. Fox improperly furthered the private interests of the individual, someone she knew from when they were both athletes at the same university.

Commissioner von Finckenstein investigated Ms. Fox's conduct after receiving a referral from the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.

Quote from Commissioner von Finckenstein

“This report reminds appointed federal officials at all levels to keep the Conflict of Interest Act in mind whenever there's a possibility of influencing a decision. They're not allowed to use their position to try to influence a decision to further their private interests or those of their relatives or friends, or to improperly further another person's private interests."

Additional facts

• ​The Conflict of Interest Act applies to most people appointed to their positions by the Governor in Council (the Governor General acting on the advice of the Cabinet). They include ministers, parliamentary secretaries, ministerial staff, deputy ministers, associate deputy ministers, members of federal boards, commissions and tribunals, and some senior public servants.
• The Public Sector Integrity Commissioner may refer matters to the Commissioner under subsection 24(2.1) of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act. Under section 68 of the Conflict of Interest Act, the Commissioner must issue a public report on each referral, whether or not he investigates.
• The Commissioner's Office has reported on 15 referrals from the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, including 5 that resulted in investigations.

For more information, please call 613-995-0721 or email us.

Ottawa, Ontario, March 24, 2026

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein has released the List of Sponsored Travel 2025. It was tabled today in the House of Commons.

In 2025, 15 Members of the House of Commons accepted a total of 19 sponsored trips, with a combined value of $78,721.59. This was down from the 38 sponsored trips accepted in 2024 and the 96 accepted in 2023.​

The Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons allows Members to accept sponsored travel for themselves and their guests. It is any travel worth more than $200 that is not fully paid by the government, a political party, a recognized parliamentary association, or the Members.

Once Members disclose their sponsored travel, the Commissioner's Office promptly posts the information in the public registry. It also compiles an annual list each March.

Quote from Commissioner von Finckenstein

“The annual publication of the compiled list of sponsored travel is a fundamental part of our commitment to transparency. Making this information available on our website strengthens public trust in Parliament and builds Canadians’ understanding of how the Code and their democratic institutions function.”

Additional facts

• Sponsored travel is governed by section 15 of the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.
• Ministers and parliamentary secretaries are not allowed to accept sponsored travel, as stated in the Prime Minister's guidance document, Open and Accountable Government.
• The Commissioner does not approve Members' sponsored travel.
• Sponsored trips are not considered gifts, so the Code's gift rule does not apply.
• Members must file a Public Statement of Sponsored Travel by Members within 60 days after the end of a trip. The Commissioner's Office posts all sponsored trips in the public registry.
• The Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner was created under the Federal Accountability Act. The Commissioner applies the Conflict of Interest Act for public office holders and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.

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The List of Sponsored Travel 2025 is available in HTML and PDF formats and, on request, as an Excel spreadsheet.

For more information, please call 613-995-0721 or send us an email.

Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

Honourable Konrad W. von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.,
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Ottawa, Ontario, December 8, 2025​​

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Good morning. I'm pleased to appear before the Committee during its review of the Conflict of Interest Act for appointed federal officials.

Joining me are Lyne Robinson-Dalpé, Director of Advisory and Compliance, and Michael Aquilino, Legal Counsel.

I commend the Committee for conducting this review. In the past 18 years, there have been just a few minor amendments to address specific matters.

The Act has been working quite well since it took effect in 2007, and met the purpose set out in section 3. There is, however, room for improvement.

We have identified six legislative changes that could make the Act's administration more efficient.

They are based not just on my own experience as Commissioner over the past two years. They reflect the experience of the Commissioner's Office in administering the Act for almost two decades.

The first is a proposed amendment to the Parliament of Canada Act, under which the Commissioner is appointed. It would let the Lobbying Commissioner step in temporarily if there is no Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. While the Commissioner's Office can manage the day-to-day administration of the Conflict of Interest Act, only the Commissioner can exercise the discretion given in various provisions.

The other five proposed amendments concern the Conflict of Interest Act.

One, add “apparent" conflicts to public office holders' general duty to arrange their private affairs in a way that prevents conflicts of interest. This would make the Act more consistent with the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons and the ethics rules for federal public servants.

Two, allow some assets to be designated as “exempt assets" if they pose no risk of conflict of interest. The Commissioner has no discretion to exempt any assets from the Act's blanket prohibition on reporting public office holders owning controlled assets.

Three, allow public office holders to participate in matters affecting the private interests of their friends or relatives if those interests are the same as those of other members of the broad class they are part of. This would make the Act more consistent with the Code.

Four, let the Commissioner approve outside activities that don't conflict with a reporting public office holder's official duties. The Act restricts their activities that are not part of their official duties. There are some limited exceptions, but they don't cover many activities that would not cause a conflict.

And five, raise the maximum administrative monetary penalties. This is not to make them punitive, but to stress the importance of meeting the Act's reporting requirements on time.

These recommendations are discussed in our latest annual report under the Act. As the Committee will recall, I also mentioned them during my last appearance.

We have been following the Committee's review of the Act, and the testimony of other witnesses. Some interesting points have been raised about enhanced education, increased transparency, and greater accountability, among other topics.

I am pleased to answer any questions the Committee may have about my recommendations or other topics.​

Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

Honourable Konrad W. von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.,
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Ottawa, Ontario, September 15, 2025​​

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Good morning.

With me at the table are Lyne Robinson-Dalpé, Director of Advisory and Compliance, and Melanie Rushworth, Director of Communications, Outreach and Planning.

I'm pleased to review the role and mandate of our Office.

We administer the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons and the Conflict of Interest Act for appointed federal officials. Given the Committee's mandate, my remarks will focus on the Act.

Individuals subject to the Act are called “public office holders." They fall into two categories:

• Those appointed to full-time positions are called reporting public office holders. They must follow the Act's general conflict of interest rules, plus its reporting and public disclosure provisions.

  This means they must give the Commissioner’s Office detailed personal and financial information about themselves and, in some cases, their family. The Office keeps most of that information private. As required by the Act, specific information must be made public, in a reductive form. It is posted in the public registry.

• Those appointed to part-time positions are referred to simply as public office holders. They only have to follow the Act's general rules, and do not have reporting obligations.

Confidentiality and transparency are both key to our work.

Confidentiality encourages public officials to communicate freely and openly with us, and to ask us for advice when faced with a situation that may put them in a conflict of interest.

Transparency means we are as open as possible with Parliament and Canadians. This helps ensure the credibility of the Act and its administration.

Our work supports three key objectives:

• Foster public confidence that the actions of elected and appointed federal officials are free from conflicts of interest.
• Enable the most competent and qualified people to move in and out of public service without any problems, by helping them manage their conflicts of interest.
• Examine and report on allegations of conflicts of interest that involve elected or appointed federal officials.

Our tools include one-on-one interface with public officials, live educational sessions, online training and investigations.

A lot of the Office's work is outlined in our latest annual reports that were tabled in Parliament in June. The report under the Act identifies six legislative changes that could help it function more effectively, and administer the Act more efficiently.

First, let the Lobbying Commissioner step in temporarily if there is no Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.

Second, add “apparent" conflicts to public office holders' general duty to arrange their private affairs in a way that prevents conflicts of interest.

Third, allow some assets to be designated as exempt assets if they pose no risk of conflict of interest.

Fourth, allow public office holders to participate in matters affecting the private interests of their friends or relatives if those interests are the same as those of other members of the broad class they are part of. This would make the Act more consistent with the Code.

Fifth, let the Commissioner approve outside activities that don't conflict with a public office holder's official duties.

Sixth, raise the maximum administrative monetary penalties to stress the importance of meeting the Act's reporting requirements.

I am happy to answer any questions the Committee may have for me today.

Ottawa, Ontario, June 12, 2025

The latest annual reports of the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, tabled today in Parliament, detail how it helped elected and appointed federal officials avoid conflicts of interest in the last fiscal year.

• 2024-2025 Annual Report under the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons
• 2024-2025 Annual Report under the Conflict of Interest Act

Its activities cover a range of areas, but all are aimed at helping public officials avoid conflicts of interest. This helps Canadians trust that their elected and appointed officials at the federal level are acting to benefit the public, not themselves or their friends or relatives.

Activity highlights

• Advice given to elected and appointed officials over 3,200 times.
• Online course on the Code launched. Bilingual, accessible, mobile-friendly, and easy to use, it features interactive scenarios that provide practical examples of how the Code applies. Training on the Code is mandatory for all Members. They can access it through the parliamentary intranet.
• 28 educational sessions delivered to groups of officials subject to the Conflict of Interest Act.
• 7 appearances before parliamentary committees. The Commissioner was asked at committee if there were any legislative changes he would recommend. In the annual report on the Act, he proposes 6. They include allowing reporting public office holders to own certain types of assets that the Act does not currently let them own, if the Commissioner believes there is no risk of conflict of interest. Possible candidates could include exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
• 3 investigation reports issued under the Act: Ouimet Report, Verschuren Report and Bloom Report. No investigation reports were issued under the Code.
• New Strategic Plan to advance the vision, mission, and mandate of the Commissioner's Office over the next five years.

The annual report on the Code mentions the List of Sponsored Travel that the Commissioner must send to the Speaker of the House of Commons. The 2024 List of Sponsored Travel was tabled in the House on May 27, 2025, after Parliament resumed following the general election. It shows that in 2024, 30 Members of the House of Commons accepted a total of 38 sponsored trips with a combined value of $230,727.04. This was down from the 96 sponsored trips Members accepted in 2023.

Quotes from Commissioner von Finckenstein

“In response to questions raised during committee meetings in the last Parliament, I would like to highlight that in our annual reports I have suggested a few modest legislative changes. These proposals are aimed at helping the Commissioner's Office function more effectively and administer the Conflict of Interest Act more efficiently."

“Our Office works to strike the right balance between confidentiality—to protect the privacy of elected and appointed federal officials—and transparency—to support accountability. We share as much information as we can with Parliament and Canadians, including through our annual reports."

Quick facts

• The Conflict of Interest Act applies to about 3,000 people appointed to their position by the Governor in Council (the Governor General acting on the advice of Cabinet) or a minister. This number goes up and down a bit, depending on how many positions are vacant. On March 31, 2025, more than 2,800 people were subject to the Act, including:
  • over 1,500 public office holders without reporting obligations, such as part-time members of federal boards, commissions and tribunals, and some part-time ministerial staff;
  • over 1,300 reporting public office holders, such as ministers, parliamentary secretaries and full-time ministerial staff.
• The Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons applies to all 343 elected Members of Parliament. Members who are ministers or parliamentary secretaries must also follow to the Conflict of Interest Act.
• The Commissioner's Office maintains a searchable public registry. It contains all the information about elected and appointed officials that the Commissioner is authorized to make public. There were over 120,000 visits to the registry in 2024-2025, up significantly from previous years.
• It publishes quarterly statistical reports that contain data on various activity areas.
• ​It posts financial reports and annual financial statements on its website.​

For more information, please call 613-995-0721 or send us an email.

Ottawa, Ontario, January 15, 2025

In an investigation report released today​, Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein found that Mr. Glen Bloom, a former member of the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board, did not contravene the Conflict of Interest Act's post-employment rules.

It was alleged that Mr. Bloom had “switched sides" after leaving public office by representing an art auction house in a 2024 Review Board proceeding that appeared to be about the same issue as a 2022 Review Board proceeding in which he had participated as a Review Board member.

Under subsection 34(1) of the Act, former public office holders are not allowed to work for or represent a person or organization on a specific proceeding, transaction, negotiation or case to which the Crown is a party if they previously acted for or advised the Crown on it.

The Commissioner found that Mr. Bloom did not contravene subsection 34(1) of the Act, because the two proceedings dealt with separate reviewable decisions—even though they involved the same art auction house and the same work of art.

One proceeding, in 2022, was a procedural determination about whether the Review Board could legally extend a filing deadline. The art auction house had asked the Review Board to review the Canada Border Services Agency's refusal to grant it an export permit, but missed the deadline to file its request. Mr. Bloom was a member of the panel that concluded the Review Board did not have the authority to extend the deadline. The requested review did not take place.

The other proceeding, in 2024, was a review of the merits of the Canada Border Services Agency's second refusal to give the art auction house an export permit. Mr. Bloom, who was no longer a member of the Review Board, represented the art auction house in this proceeding.

Quotes from Commissioner von Finckenstein

“This report explores an important post-employment rule in the Conflict of Interest Act."

“It also serves as a reminder that some of the Act's post-employment rules apply to all former public office holders, no matter how long they have been out of public office. It's not easy to determine how those rules apply in all situations, so they can always reach out to the Commissioner's Office for advice."

Additional facts

• The Conflict of Interest Act applies to most people appointed to their positions by the Governor in Council (the Governor General acting on the advice of the Cabinet). They include ministers, parliamentary secretaries, ministerial staff, deputy ministers, associate deputy ministers, members of federal boards, commissions and tribunals, and some senior public servants.
• All former public office holders must follow certain post-employment rules for life. These rules are not subject to any exemption, waiver or reduction of the cooling-off period:
  • Section 33 of the Act prohibits former public office holders from taking improper advantage of their previous public office.
  • Subsection 34(1) prohibits them from working for or on behalf of a person or organization on a specific proceeding, transaction, negotiation or case to which the Crown is a party if they previously worked for or advised the Crown on it.
  • Subsection 34(2) prohibits them from advising a client, business associate or employer using information they got while in office and that is not available to the public.

Useful links

• General information about examinations under the Act, including how the Commissioner deals with investigation requests.

For more information, please call 613-995-0721 or email us.

Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP)

Honourable Konrad W. von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.,
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Ottawa, Ontario, October 21, 2024

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Thank you for inviting me to appear before you today. With me is Michael Aquilino, Legal Counsel at the Office.

The subject of today's meeting is the ​Auditor General's Report 6, which looks at Sustainable Development Technology Canada. It is about a performance audit conducted under the Auditor General Act.

I administer the Conflict of Interest Act, and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons. The Commissioner's Office helps Members and public office holders—people appointed to their positions by the Governor in Council—p​​revent and manage conflicts of interest. When necessary, we investigate.

Mr. Michael Barrett, Member of Parliament for Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, asked me to investigate two members of SDTC's Board of Directors. One was Annette Verschuren, former Chairperson of SDTC. The other was Guy Ouimet, a former director of SDTC.

The SDTC Board had 15 members. Of those, Ms. Verschuren and Mr. Ouimet were among 7 directors who were appointed by the Governor in Council.

They were subject to the Act as public office holders. Unlike reporting public office holders, this category of people subject to the Act do not have to give the Commissioner's Office any personal and financial information on appointment. Neither do they have to make any public declarations. We do not assign them advisors, but they can always contact us if they need advice.

The other 8 Board members were appointed by SDTC's member council, so they were not covered by the Act.

I reported on the Verschuren and Ouimet investigations in July 2024.

I found that Ms. Verschuren failed to comply with the Act's provisions on decision-making and recusal.

Those lapses were based on a misunderstanding of the difference between abstaining and recusing, and on incorrect legal advice.

It was clear there was an information gap about recusals that the Office has since addressed by issuing an information notice that can be found on our website.

Recusal is more than simply staying silent during a discussion, or refraining from voting. Public office holders must leave the room, virtually or physically, so their mere presence does not influence other participants.

Unlike the Auditor General, the Commissioner's Office does not look at any conduct other than conflicts of interest. In the case of SDTC, our scope is limited to the rules of the Conflict of Interest Act insofar as they apply to indi​viduals appointed to their positions by the Governor in Council.

I therefore have no comment to make:

1. on the alleged conflict of interest of individuals not appointed by the Governor in Council, or
2. on any other issues of alleged malfeasance mentioned by the Auditor General.

I am happy to answer questions.

Opening remarks before the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance / Main Estimates 2024-2025

Honourable Konrad W. von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.,
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Ottawa, Ontario, September 17, 2024

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Mr. Chair and honourable members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me to speak with you about the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's budget for 2024‑2025.

The Commissioner's Office consists of around 50 professionals who are doing everything possible to ensure some 3,200 people subject to either the Conflict of Interest Act or the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons avoid conflicts of interest.

Our Office has a two-fold purpose. One, to help elected and appointed public officials avoid and manage conflicts of interest. And two, to facilitate the movement of qualified people in and out of public service. These principles reflect my approach to the role of Commissioner. Ultimately, our goal is to safeguard public confidence in the integrity of Parliament and government institutions.

All experienced and competent people will, over time, be exposed to potential conflicts of interest. To me, this means the credibility of the advice and guidance we provide needs to be helpful, innovative and timely. You will see this in our educational offerings throughout the year.

Our Main Estimates include funding to ensure the continued growth of the Office's education and outreach work. It allows us to develop subject-specific education session to meet the needs of those subject to the Act or Code. The past spring we launched an online course tailored to meet mandatory training requirements for elected Members under the Code. We are currently developing a similar on-demand course for public office holders under the Act.

Our budgetary process is unique in that our budget is not approved by any minister. We prepare the Main Estimates for what the Office will require in the following year. We submit our Main Estimates to the Speaker of the House of Commons for consideration and then transmit them to the President of the Treasury Board. The Treasury Board then includes our Main Estimates as part of its overall submission to the House of Commons.

As for the numbers, there is no increase to our operations budget. We asked for and received an increase to our personnel budget of just under 3%, which will be used largely to fund economic salary increases and salary increments. 83% of our budget is dedicated to salaries and the employee benefit plan.

I would be happy to answer the Committee's questions about the Office, its finances, and operations.

Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology / SDTC

Honourable Konrad W. von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.,
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Ottawa, Ontario, December 8, 2025​​

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Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today. I am joined by Michael Aquilino, Legal Counsel at the Office.

As Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, my role is to help elected and appointed public officials manage conflicts of interest, as well as investigate possible contraventions.

We administer the Conflict of Interest Act for appointed officials like ministers, their staff, heads of Crown corporations, deputy ministers, and members of various boards and tribunals. We also administer the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.

Our work has two main purposes. One, to help elected and appointed public officials recognize and manage conflicts of interest. And two, to facilitate the movement of qualified people in and out of public service without issue.

The Committee invited me to discuss the Verschuren Report that the Office issued in July 2024. In fact, we conducted investigations of two officials with Sustainable Development Technology Canada, at the request of MP Michael Barrett.

One was Annette Verschuren, former Chairperson of SDTC. The other was Guy Ouimet, a former director of SDTC.

Ms. Verschuren and Mr. Ouimet came under the Act as public office holders without reporting obligations. They were subject to the Act's general conflict of interest rules, but did not have to give the Office the kinds of information you see summarized in our public registry.

On appointment, the Office assigns each reporting public office holder an advisor who can focus on their individual needs. This opens an ongoing dialogue that lasts for their time in office. In contrast, public office holders like Ms. Verschuren and Mr. Ouimet are not assigned advisors. They can always contact the Office if they need advice.

In my report, I found that Ms. Verschuren failed to comply with two sections of the Act, subsection 6(1) on decision-making, and section 21 on the duty to recuse.

Ms. Verschuren declared a potential conflict of interest to SDTC's Board of Directors regarding companies nominated by or associated with two organizations with which she had close ties. In most cases, she abstained from decisions that benefitted these companies, but she did not recuse herself, as the Act required, in any of these cases.

There is a difference between abstaining and recusing that is not always well understood. Recusal is more than simply staying silent during a discussion or refraining from voting. It means stepping away entirely so your mere presence does not influence another participant. To reinforce this, last week the Office issued an updated information notice on recusals.

Ms. Verschuren also contravened the Act when she participated in two decisions to give COVID‑19 emergency relief payments to all companies funded by SDTC, including one in which she had a private interest. In doing so, she followed incorrect legal advice that there was no need to address her conflict because all companies would be given equal treatment.

I found no evidence that Ms. Verschuren used her position as Chair of SDTC to try to influence other Board members in those two decisions when she moved motions for the payments. This was part of her role as Chair.

In the other SDTC investigation report, I dismissed allegations that Mr. Ouimet had contravened the Act by participating in the decisions to give COVID-19 emergency relief payments to funded companies, including one in which he had a private interest.

I found that his interest was so insignificant there was no conflict of interest. I applied the principle of de minimis non curat praetor.

On that note, I am happy to answer your questions.

Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts/ArriveCAN

Honourable Konrad W. von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.,
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Ottawa, Ontario, August 8, 2024

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Thank you for inviting me to discuss Report 1, ArriveCAN, of the 2024 Reports of the Auditor General of Canada.

With me today is Michael Aquilino, Legal Counsel at the Office.

As Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, my role is to help elected and appointed public officials manage conflicts of interest.

We administer the Conflict of Interest Act for appointed officials like ministers, their staff, heads of Crown corporations, deputy ministers, and members of various boards and tribunals. We also administer the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.

Under the Act, when reporting public office holders are first appointed, we gather information about what they own, what they owe, and what they do. This helps us see whether they may have any conflicts of interest and advise them on how to manage or avoid them. This could include setting up a conflict of interest screen.

Throughout their time as public office holders, we receive updates from them and review their information. We give them ongoing confidential advice and guidance on questions like accepting gifts, when to step back or recuse themselves from discussions, and the rules that will follow them after they leave office.

Under the Code, we go through a similar process with Members. It is something you are all familiar with.

All publicly shareable information about reporting public office holders and Members is available on our website's public registry.

Under both the Act and the Code, we focus on private interests that might affect financial or business decisions for personal gain.

Essentially, the two main purposes of our work are, first, to help elected and appointed public officials recognize and manage conflicts of interest. And second, to facilitate the movement of qualified people in and out of public service without issue.

Regarding the current issue of ArriveCAN, I understand there are ongoing investigations by other organizations. To our knowledge, no persons subject to the Act or the Code were involved in these matters. Hence, we have no jurisdiction and I have no comment to make.

I am happy to answer your questions.

Ottawa, Ontario, July 24, 2024

In an investigation report released today, Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein found that Ms. Annette Verschuren failed to comply with some provisions of the Conflict of Interest Act while she was Chairperson of Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC); in particular, she failed to comply with subsection 6(1) (decision-making) and section 21 (duty to recuse) of the Act.

Finding one

After Ms. Verschuren was appointed to SDTC in June 2019, she continued to serve on the boards of the Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment, which she founded, and the MaRS Discovery District.

With respect to most funding decisions involving projects nominated by the Verschuren Centre or MaRS, Ms. Verschuren declared a potential conflict to SDTC's Board of Directors, and abstained from voting on the decisions. On four occasions, it appears she did not abstain from decisions that benefitted companies nominated by or associated with the two organizations. While she mostly abstained, she did not recuse herself in any of these cases.

Finding two

Throughout her tenure, Ms. Verschuren remained Chair, CEO, and majority shareholder of NRStor Inc., a company she founded. The Commissioner found that Ms. Verschuren failed to comply with the above-mentioned provisions when she participated in SDTC's March 2020 and March 2021 decisions to give COVID-19 emergency relief payments to all companies, including NRStor, that had previously been approved for funding. While the original payments to NRStor were approved before she became Chairperson of SDTC, on these occasions, following incorrect advice, she did not recuse herself.

Clarification of recusal requirements

Simply abstaining instead of recusing falls short of the Act's requirements. Emergency situations do not make recusal requirements inapplicable. Public office holders must physically remove themselves from the location where the matter that requires recusal is being decided. Or, when the meeting is online, they must be moved to a separate virtual waiting room. This ensures their mere presence cannot influence the decision of others.

Finding three

There was no evidence that Ms. Verschuren failed to comply with section 9 of the Act. The Commissioner found that she did not use her position as Chairperson of SDTC to try to influence other Board members in those two decisions when she moved the motions for the payments. Doing so was simply a formality of her role as Chairperson.

Quotes from Commissioner von Finckenstein

“When a conflict of interest arises, recusal—not abstention—is the proper way to manage it. Instead of abstaining from decisions in which she had private interests, Ms. Verschuren should have recused herself. Recusal means leaving the room when the decision is being made. Her actions fell short of what the Con​flict of Interest Act requires."

“It was clear that Ms. Verschuren took what she believed to be the right steps to manage her conflicts of interest. However, she did not meet the Act's requirements."

“Investigation reports such as this are educational tools that can help people who are subject to the Conflict ​​of Interest Act understand how to prevent and manage conflicts of interest."

Additional facts

• The Conflict of Interest Act applies to ministers, ministers of state, parliamentary secretaries, the Chief Electoral Officer, the Parliamentary Budget Officer, ministerial staff, ministerial advisers, most people appointed to their positions by the Governor in Council, some ministerial appointees, and any persons designated by the Governor in Council to be subject to the Act. They are referred to as public office holders.
• Under subsection 6(1) of the Act, public office holders are not allowed to make a decision or participate in decision-making related to the exercise of an official power, duty or function if they know or reasonably should know that, in doing so, they would be in a conflict of interest.
• Under section 21, they must recuse themselves from any discussion, decision, debate or vote on any matter in respect of which they would be in a conflict of interest. A recusal is more than simply abstaining from a vote.
• As set out in section 4, public office holders are in a conflict of interest when they exercise an official power, duty or function that provides an opportunity to further their private interests or those of their relatives or friends, or to improperly further another person's private interests.
• Under section 9, they are not allowed to use their position as public office holders to seek to influence a decision of another person to further their private interests or those of their relatives or friends, or to improperly further another person's private interests.
• While the Act does not provide for any sanctions for contraventions found following an investigation (formally called an examination under the Act), a report is provided to the Prime Minister and released to the public to shed light on the activity examined.
• Administrative monetary penalties, which the Commissioner may impose on reporting public office holders who fail to meet certain reporting requirements of the Act, are NOT applicable following an examination.
• The Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment and the MaRS Discovery District are not-for-profit business accelerators that provide services and supports to companies. They are SDTC-approved partners that nominate projects to SDTC for funding.

Useful links

• General information about examinations under the Act can be found on the Office's website.

For more information, please call 613-995-0721 or email us.

Ottawa, Ontario, July 24, 2024

In an investigation report released today, Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein dismissed allegations that Mr. Guy Ouimet, a former director of Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), contravened the Conflict of Interest Act.

It was alleged that Mr. Ouimet contravened subsection 6(1) and section 21 of the Act by participating in SDTC's March 2020 and March 2021 decisions to give COVID-19 emergency relief payments to various companies, including Lithion Recycling Inc.

At the time of the March 2020 decision, Mr. Ouimet held an option to purchase 1% of Lithion founders' shares at a cost of $1,250. At the time of the March 2021 decision, Mr. Ouimet had exercised his option. The Commissioner determined that his financial interest in Lithion in relation to SDTC's funding decisions was a private interest for purposes of the Act, and that he participated in both COVID-19 emergency relief funding decisions.

However, the Commissioner also considered the principle of de minimis non curat praetor, which is reflected elsewhere in the Act. It is the idea that courts and decision-makers are not concerned with trivial things. As Mr. Ouimet's interest in Lithion was so insignificant, there was no risk of conflict of interest.

The Commissioner dismissed the allegations against Mr. Ouimet.

Quotes from Commissioner von Finckenstein

“The Conflict of Interest Act seeks to encourage experienced and competent people to accept public office. By following the Act, appointed officials can avoid and manage conflicts between their public duties and private interests. This makes it easier for them to move between the private and public sectors."

“The Act was meant to be a practical conflict of interest regime. It was not intended to capture conflicts where a public office holder's private interests are of a trivial nature."

“Mr. Ouimet's 1% stake in Lithion was so small that it would not have influenced his votes approving funding for it, and thus did not pose a risk of conflict of interest. I therefore dismissed the allegations against him."

Additional facts

• The Conflict of Interest Act applies to ministers, ministers of state, parliamentary secretaries, the Chief Electoral Officer, the Parliamentary Budget Officer, ministerial staff, ministerial advisers, most people appointed to their position by the Governor in Council, some ministerial appointees, and any individuals the Governor in Council designates as subject to the Act. They are all called “public office holders."
• Under subsection 6(1) of the Conflict of Interest Act, public office holders are not allowed to make a decision or participate in decision-making related to the exercise of an official power, duty or function if they know or reasonably should know that, in doing so, they would be in a conflict of interest.
• Under section 21, they must recuse themselves from any discussion, decision, debate or vote on any matter in respect of which they would be in a conflict of interest.
• Section 4 states that public office holders are in a conflict of interest when they exercise an official power, duty or function that provides an opportunity to further their private interests or those of their relatives or friends, or to improperly further another person's private interests.

Useful links

• General information about examinations under the Act, including how the Commissioner deals with investigation requests.

For more information, please call 613-995-0721 or email us.

Ottawa, Ontario, June 13, 2024

The Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner advised elected and appointed officials on conflict of interest issues over 3,600 times last fiscal year. It received 8% more requests for advice from public office holders and 31% more from Members of the House of Commons than the five-year average.

Details of these and other activities are in the Office's latest annual reports under the Conflict of Interest Act and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons. They were tabled in Parliament today and posted online:

• 2023-2024 annual report under the Conflict of Interest Act
• 2023-2024 annual report under the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons

The reports show how the Commissioner's Office carried out its mandate in key areas like giving advice, conducting educational sessions and outreach, supporting transparency, and addressing non-compliance.

The Office continued to focus on prevention and solution finding. Educating elected and appointed officials about their obligations was key to this effort.

In 2023-2024, the Office reached over 300 public office holders through 24 educational sessions.

The Office gave one-on-one training to the five new Members elected during the fiscal year. It also developed a bilingual, accessible, and mobile-friendly online course about the Code. The course will be available on the House of Commons intranet after it launches in 2024-2025.

The Office also addressed non-compliance as needed. As of March 31, 2024, it was working on two investigation reports under the Act. It did not issue any investigation reports in 2023-2024.

Quotes from Commissioner von Finckenstein

“I believe Canada needs the best minds in public office. I also recognize that qualified, experienced people will have potential conflicts of interest. Our role is to help them avoid and manage conflicts from the time they enter public office until they leave it and beyond."

“We assign each reporting public office holder and Member of the House of Commons an advisor who gives them timely, consistent and personalized advice. By helping elected and appointed officials follow the rules and avoid conflicts of interest, the Commissioner's Office ultimately helps safeguard Canadians' trust in public institutions."

Quick facts

• The Conflict of Interest Act applies to over 2,950 individuals. They include:
  • about 1,500 public office holders without reporting obligations, such as part-time members of federal boards, commissions and tribunals, and some part-time ministerial staff;
  • some 1,450 reporting public office holders, such as ministers and parliamentary secretaries, ministerial staff, and individuals appointed to full-time positions by the Governor in Council (the Governor General acting on the advice of Cabinet).
• The Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons applies to all 338 elected Members of Parliament. Members who are ministers or parliamentary secretaries are also subject to the Conflict of Interest Act.
• In March 2023, the House of Commons added a mandatory training requirement to section 32 of the Code.
• The Office maintains a searchable public registry. It contains all the information about elected and appointed officials that the Commissioner is authorized to make public. There were over 120,000 visits to the public registry in 2023-2024, up significantly from previous years.
• Quarterly statistical reports contain data on various activity areas.
• Financial reports and annual financial statements are published on the website.

For more information, please call 613-995-0721 or email us.

Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

Honourable Konrad W. von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.,
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Ottawa, Ontario, June 4, 2024

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Thank you for inviting me.

With me today is Lyne Robinson-Dalpé, Director of Advisory and Compliance.

As we join you today, I recognize the weight of responsibility entrusted upon our Office and the work of this committee. Our democracy relies fundamentally on the integrity and transparency of its elected and appointed officials and our ability to safeguard public trust.

It is with these principles in mind that I see the twofold purpose of the regimes we administer: one, is to help public officials avoid and manage their conflicts of interest, and the second, is to facilitate the movement of qualified people in and out of the public service.

Qualified, competent, and experienced people who are called to public service may well face conflicts of interest. This is not unusual. The issue is how to avoid and manage those conflicts to protect the integrity of officials and of the institutions they serve.

Minister Boissonnault is an example of someone who has moved in and out of public service, and back again. Upon his first election as a Member of Parliament in 2015, he complied with the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.

He also complied with the Conflict of Interest Act when later appointed as Parliamentary Secretary.

Between 2019 and 2021, when he was not an elected or appointed official, he resumed work with Xennex Catalyst Inc. (Xennex), a company incorporated in 2000 and which he owns 100%. It is a management company which gained a contract to lobby on behalf of Edmonton Regional Airports Authority.

The Minister resigned as director of Xennex when he was re-elected and became, again, subject to the Code as a Member and to the Act as Minister.

​Kirsten Poon became Director of Xennex and continued to lobby in Xennex's name on behalf of the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority until June 2021. After that date, the lobbying was done in her own company's name, 2050877 Alberta Ltd. operating as Navis.

Minister Boissonnault received no remuneration from Xennex after being elected and appointed Minister. However, he disclosed that he was owed outstanding business income from Navis. That amount was paid by Navis to Xennex.

Minister Boissonnault has a 100% interest in 2256956 Alberta Ltd. It in turn owns 50% of the affiliated company Global Health Imports. His ownership of Xennex, 2256956 Alberta Ltd., and indirect partial ownership of Global Health Imports were all disclosed to the Office. There is no disclosed evidence that ownership of these companies creates any conflict of interest. He complied with the rules under the Act and the Code.

Considering the information that Minister Boissonnault has disclosed to the Office, it appears he has complied with the requirements of the Code and the Act related to matters involving his companies and consequently there is no need to commence an examination.

We are in the process of the usual annual review process with the Minister and will be looking at all his updated disclosures with the Office.

Both Ms. Robinson-Dalpé and I are prepared to answer any questions you may have about the compliance process and the work of the Office.

Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

Honourable Konrad W. von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.,
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Ottawa, Ontario, April 16, 2024

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Mr. Chair and honourable members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me to speak with you about the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's budgetary submission for 2024-2025.

With me are Sandy Tremblay, Director of Corporate Management and Melanie Rushworth, Director of Communications, Outreach and Planning.

First, I would like to thank you and all your fellow Members for having voted in favour of my permanent appointment.

The Commissioner's Office consists of around 50 professionals who are doing everything possible to ensure some 3,200 people subject to either the Conflict of Interest Act or the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons avoid conflicts of interest.

I see the Office as having a two-fold purpose. One, to help public officials avoid and manage conflicts of interest. And two, to facilitate the movement of qualified people in and out of public service.

These principles reflect my approach to the role of Commissioner. Ultimately, the goal is to safeguard public confidence in the integrity of elected and appointed public officials.

All experienced and competent people will, over time, be exposed to potential conflicts of interest. To me, this means the credibility of the advice and guidance provided needs to be both helpful, innovative and timely.

Accordingly, you will see a change to our educational offerings throughout this year. Reflected in the Main Estimates request is an alignment of funding to ensure the continued growth of the educational and outreach functions of the Office. This will allow us to develop more tailored or subject-specific opportunities to meet the needs of those subject to either regime. These approaches will be online, in-person, and on-demand. In the near future, an online course specifically tailored to meet the needs of elected Members under the Code will be launched.

Reflecting our efficient approach, the Office budget for this year reflects an increase of just under 3%, which will mainly be used to offset some cost increases.

Melanie, Sandy and I would be happy to answer the Committee's questions about the Office, its finances and operations.

Ottawa, Ontario, April 8, 2024

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein has released the List of Sponsored Travel 2023. It was tabled today in the House of Commons.

Last year, Members of the House of Commons accepted 93 sponsored trips—two thirds more than in 2022—with a combined declared value of $847,828.22. On average, Members accepted 83 sponsored trips a year from 2007 to 2019. In the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, the average was just 7.

The Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons allows Members to accept sponsored travel for themselves and their guests. It is any travel worth more than $200 that is not fully paid by the government, a political party, a recognized parliamentary association or the Members.

Quotes from Commissioner von Finckenstein

“The Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons permits sponsored travel. It's up to each Member to decide whether to accept such trips. They must disclose their trips to the Office, and we make that information public."

“The annual list of sponsored travel supports transparency and public trust in Parliament. It allows Canadians to see at a glance, in a single document, which Members of the House of Commons have gone on sponsored trips, for what reason, who sponsored those trips, and each trip's value."

Addition​al Facts

• Sponsored travel is governed by section 15 of the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.
• The Commissioner does not approve Members' sponsored travel. The Public Statement of Sponsored Travel by Members identifies the information they must provide to the Office within 60 days after the end of the trip. Ministers and parliamentary secretaries are not allowed to accept sponsored travel, as stated in the Prime Minister's guidance document, Open and Accountable Government.
• Sponsored trips are not considered gifts, so the Code's gift rule​ does not apply. Under that rule, Members are not allowed to accept gifts or other benefits that might reasonably be seen to have been given to influence them. They must disclose all benefits, including gifts, they receive during sponsored trips.
• The Office posts information about sponsored trips in the public registry throughout the year. It also compiles a list of all trips for each calendar year for the Commissioner to provide to the Speaker of the House of Commons by March 31 of the following year. Then the Speaker tables it in the House.
• The Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner was created under the Federal Accountability Act. The Commissioner applies the Conflict of Interest Act for public office holders and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.

The List of Sponsored Travel 2023 is available in HTML and PDF formats and, on request, as an Excel spreadsheet.

For more information, please call 613-995-0721 or send us an email.

Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

Honourable Konrad W. von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.,
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Ottawa, Ontario, January 30, 2024

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Mr. Chair and honourable members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me to answer your questions about the rules for gifts, including vacations and travel, under the Conflict of Interest Act.

With me is Lyne Robinson-Dalpé, Director of Advisory and Compliance at the Office.

As you all appreciate, the Conflict of Interest Act is guided by four principles.

First principle: disclosure

Upon appointment under the Act, all reporting public office holders must disclose within 60 days their assets, and other relevant information, to the Commissioner.

This forms the basis of the compliance process and will be the source of ongoing conversations throughout their appointment term.

Second principle: advice

As part of the compliance process, the Commissioner gives confidential advice as to what measures are required to ensure compliance.

These measures may vary, but can include public disclosure, divestment, recusal or even a conflict of interest screen.

During the tenure of public office holders, open discussion and disclosure allow the Office to help manage conflicts of interest and safeguard public confidence in the integrity of Parliament and government institutions.

Third principle: confidentiality

All interactions with the Commissioner are confidential and can only be released by the public office holder, not by me.

The confidentiality provision allows public office holders to fully disclose their situation and enables the Commissioner to make a decision based upon all relevant facts.

Fourth principle: transparency

Transparency is the keystone to engendering public confidence. The Act strikes a balance between maximum transparency and confidentiality to protect the privacy of public office holders.

Redacted versions of relevant disclosures of recusals, gifts, or results of investigations are published on the Office's website.

The Office's public registry is the most frequently accessed tool on our website.

Now, the matter at hand:

With respect to the Prime Minister's trips to Jamaica, which sparked your request about the rules regarding gifts, including vacations and travel, under the Conflict of Interest Act, I have the following observations to make.

The Act defines gifts in subsection 11(1), as follows:

Gifts and other advantage

11 (1) No public office holder or member of his or her family shall accept any gift or other advantage, including from a trust, that might reasonably be seen to have been given to influence the public office holder in the exercise of an official power, duty or function.

Clearly, granting of hospitality—namely allowing the use of a property without charge—is a gift.

However, there is an exception for acceptable gifts in paragraph 11(2)(b), which reads as follows:

Exception

(2) Despite subsection (1), a public office holder or member of his or her family may accept a gift or other advantage

(b) that is given by a relative or friend

Let's look at the facts in this situation that are in the public domain.

The Prime Minister has stated Mr. Green is a friend, a family friend for over 50 years.

He has stayed at Mr. Green's property since he was a child.

The Prime Minister received a gift, one of hospitality, more than once, from his friend.

He has spoken publicly about this friendship and that advice was sought from my Office, both during my tenure and before.

While the Act speaks of advice, the advice we are giving is tantamount to a ruling. Public office holders have always accepted our advice.

Advice is given to ensure public office holders are in compliance with the Act. If they do not follow the advice, then the recourse is an investigation.

We have no role to pre-clear gifts from family and friends under the Act. Nor do we approve travel destinations; however, we advise as to whether the gift is acceptable or not.

We determine whether a gift is acceptable or not. A gift from a friend is acceptable.

We work to verify the true depth of a friendship asserted. If someone is a friend, they can offer a gift to a public officer holder in a personal context and the gift does not need to be disclosed.

Furthermore, subsection 25(5) provides that:

25(5) If a reporting public office holder or a member of his or her family accepts any single gift or other advantage that has a value of $200 or more, other than one from a relative or friend,​ the reporting public office holder shall, within 30 days after accepting the gift or other advantage, make a public declaration that provides sufficient detail to identify the gift or other advantage accepted, the donor and the circumstances under which it was accepted.

30 days have now passed since the acceptance of the gift by the Prime Minister and nothing has appeared on our website.

From these provisions of the law and the facts that are in the public domain, the public and this committee can draw their own conclusion on the Jamaica trip.

I am bound by the confidentiality provisions of the Act and cannot further discuss details on this matter.​

Ottawa, Ontario, January 5, 2024

The Office was saddened to learn of the passing of former Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson on December 24, 2023. Commissioner Dawson was the first Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner of Canada. She served from July 9, 2007, when the Office was created in its current form, to January 8, 2018.

Commissioner Dawson implemented many of the practices used by the Office today. Her leadership and commitment to precise legal standards laid the foundations for the way the conflict of interest regimes are administered. The Office remembers and honours Commissioner Dawson for her contributions to the Office and to the public service of Canada.

Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

Honourable Konrad W. von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.,
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Ottawa, Ontario, October 16, 2023

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Thank you for inviting me to appear before you today about the Office's 2022-2023 annual report under the Conflict of Interest Act.

I acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin people.

The annual report for 2023 that was tabled on September 18 covers actions taken under the leadership of former Commissioner Mario Dion from whom you just heard, so no comment from me is necessary.

The mandate of the Office has three key activity areas.

One, giving public office holders clear and consistent direction and advice.

Two, education and outreach, to help public office holders understand the rules so as to recognize and avoid potential conflicts of interest.

And, three, to address non-compliance as needed.

Key to all these three areas is maximum transparency.

As I mentioned in my appearance on September 18, my approach is to be as transparent as possible about everything the Office does. I would therefore like to bring to your attention four small changes to the administration of the Act that have been made under my tenure.

These changes reflect a common-sense approach to the application of the Act. They are effective immediately and only apply prospectively.

The first change is to the definition of “entity" related to the Act's rules on post-employment and offers of outside employment. This term is no longer being read to include federal public sector entities.​

I see no reason why someone leaving a government post and then working for it as a contractor or public servant would be in a conflict of interest or carry with them confidential information that would be harmful to the Government of Canada. The government is one entity and there cannot be any conflict of interest between different government departments or agencies.

Consequently, as of now, reporting public office holders who wish to work for the federal public service must no longer seek an exemption, reduction, or waiver of their cooling-off period.

The second change involves gifts.

Under the Act, public office holders and their family members are not allowed to accept any gift or benefits that might reasonably be seen to have been given to influence the public office holders in the exercise of an official power, duty, or function.

On the other side of the coin, under the regime administered by the Commissioner of Lobbying, lobbyists are not allowed to give gifts or hospitality to an official whom they lobby or expect to lobby.

The new Lobbyists' Code of Conduct (2023) introduced an exemption for low-value allowed gifts and hospitality. Its benchmarks are a value of $40 or less for each gift or instance of hospitality, and an annual limit of $200 on the cumulative value of such gifts from the same source.

It makes no sense to have different rules under the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct (2023) and under the Conflict of Interest Act.

Therefore, the practice of the Office will now mirror those provisions of the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct (2023).

However, as has always been the requirement under the Conflict of Interest Act, all gifts or benefits with a total value over $200 must be disclosed within 30 days.

The third change in the Office's practice is with respect to what we call the minimal value exemption.

It is the value of controlled assets that reporting public office holders who are not ministers or parliamentary secretaries do not have to sell after their appointment. The Commissioner must believe the assets do not pose any risk of conflict of interest in relation to the reporting public office holders' official duties and responsibilities, given their minimal value.

The practice of the Office capped the minimal value exemption at $30,000 about 10 years ago. Obviously, the economic situation has changed since then and there has been inflation. The Office has now doubled it to $60,000 as a more realistic amount.

The fourth change applies only to about a dozen individuals appointed to the Canada Energy Regulator. It affects how they can deal with open-ended mutual funds and exchange-traded funds or ETFs.

The Canadian Energy Regulator Act, or CER Act, prohibits certain outside activities and holdings and effectively amended the Conflict of Interest Act. Based on an unnecessarily restrictive interpretation, appointees were required to sell both mutual funds and ETFs. Ownership of these instruments does not cause a conflict of interest. From now on, the practice of the Office will allow them to keep open-ended mutual funds as these are exempt assets under the Conflict of Interest Act. For ETFs, which are controlled assets under the Act, new appointees will have the option of putting them in a blind trust or selling them.

This change will help the Canada Energy Regulator attract qualified candidates.

In conclusion, in keeping with the purpose of the Act, all four recent changes should help encourage experienced and competent persons seek and accept public office and facilitate interchange between the private and public sectors.

All Office practices, including these changes, are designed to reflect the Act's purpose of helping public office holders avoid conflicts of interest and deal with issues ethically, thereby building public trust.

Thank you for your attention. I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

Honourable Konrad W. von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.,
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
Ottawa, Ontario, September 18, 2023

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Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and Members. Thank you for inviting me to appear before you today.

Let me begin by acknowledging that our meeting space is on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin people.

I feel privileged to have been asked by the Governor in Council to take on this role on an interim basis while a new Ethics Commissioner is sought. With me today is Lyne Robinson‑Dalpé, Director of Advisory and Compliance.

I would like to thank the employees of the Office for continuing their work over the last six months in the absence of a Commissioner.

Transparency, integrity, and accountability are essential to the democratic process. The public needs to have faith in how decisions are made and implemented. For this reason, we have the Conflict of Interest Act and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons. It is my intention to administer these regimes in an open and transparent manner, in a climate of collaboration and mutual respect.

I look forward to engaging in thoughtful, constructive dialogue given the critical role this committee plays in the overall process. I am committed to fostering an environment of openness and communication, as the exchange of ideas produces the best results.

The need for an Ethics Commissioner is multifaceted. It extends beyond ensuring compliance and providing numbers. It also encompasses consideration of individual responsibility and ethical issues for individuals subject to the Act and the Code. The Ethics Commissioner acts as a moral compass, by providing guidance on decisions that challenge ethics or integrity, to ensure alignment with legal and societal standards.

In today's interconnected world, the actions of a public official have far-reaching consequences. Ethical missteps can lead to reputational damage, financial losses, and legal repercussions. Regulatees can seek guidance from the Commissioner on personal conflict of interest matters, to prevent compromising objectivity when personal and professional interests intersect. Hopefully by seeking counsel, public officials can make informed, ethical choices that foster trust, public transparency, and long-term success.

I will draw upon the expertise and the insights of my provincial and territorial counterparts who are already on the ground and who will certainly have useful insights and ideas. In fact, just after my appointment, I spent a couple of days at the annual meeting of the Canadian Conflict of Interest Network which allowed me to build valuable relationships and gain an insight into our common challenges.

In closing, I am eager to embark on this journey with all of you to serve Canadians and strengthen the foundations of our democracy. I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce myself today, and I look forward to further dialogue with you.

Thank you for your attention, and I would be pleased to answer your questions.

Ottawa, Ontario, September 18, 2023

Preventing public office from being used for private gain and supporting transparency were at the heart of the Office's activities again last fiscal year. Details are in its 2022-2023 annual reports under the Conflict of Interest Act and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons. They were tabled in Parliament today and posted online:

• 2022-2023 annual report under the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons
• 2022-2023 annual report under the Conflict of Interest Act

The reports show how the Office carried out its mandate in key activity areas like direction and advice, education and outreach, and enforcement.

The Office continued to give public office holders and Members of the House of Commons proactive guidance on conflict of interest issues. As captured in the quarterly reports, it also responded to 3,350 requests for advice from regulatees. Of note, requests for advice under the Act about gifts more than tripled from the year before. The Office issued two advisory opinions under the Code.

The Office acted to better understand the needs of its audiences and to make its communications and outreach activities more effective. Even before the Code was amended in March 2023 to include mandatory training, the Office started reshaping how it reaches Members to provide education and training. Its efforts were guided, in part, by the results of an October 2022 survey of Members that achieved a response rate of 43%. During the last fiscal year, the Office reached over 300 regulatees through 24 targeted educational sessions and presentations.

It also took enforcement measures as needed. For example, it issued two examination reports under the Act: the Fergus Report and the Ng Report. It also reported on three referrals from the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, none of which resulted in an examination. No investigation reports were released under the Code.

Quote from Interim Commissioner von Finckenstein

“Although released under my watch, everything reported in the annual reports was accomplished under previous leadership. During my interim appointment, I intend to focus on managing the Office in its important work and to help elected and appointed officials avoid conflicts of interest."

Additional Facts

• The Conflict of Interest Act applies to almost 2,950 individuals. They include:
  • Almost 1,500 public office holders without reporting obligations such as part-time members of federal boards, commissions and tribunals and some part-time ministerial staff.
  • Some 1,450 reporting public office holders such as ministers and parliamentary secretaries, ministerial staff and full-time Governor-in-Council appointees.
• The Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons applies to all 338 elected Members of Parliament. Members who are ministers or parliamentary secretaries are also subject to the Conflict of Interest Act.
• The Office maintains a searchable public registry. It contains all the information about individual regulatees that the Commissioner is authorized to make public. There were 80,500 public registry visits in 2022-2023, up almost a third from the year before.
• Quarterly statistical reports contain data on various activity areas. Data for the full fiscal year is in the annual reports.
• Financial reports and annual financial statements are published transparently on the website when available.

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For more information, please call 613-995-0721 or email us.

Ottawa, Ontario, August 31, 2023

On behalf of the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Melanie Rushworth, Director of Communications, Outreach and Planning, released today the following statement:

“The Honourable Konrad Winrich von Finckenstein has been appointed as Interim Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. The appointment was made under subsection 82(2) of the Parliament of Canada Act and is effective for a period of six months.

As Interim Commissioner, Mr. von Finckenstein has all the authorities vested in the Commissioner by the Parliament of Canada Act. In this role, Mr. von Finckenstein will help Members of the House of Commons and public office holders stay informed about their obligations under the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons and the Conflict of Interest Act, respectively. The Interim Commissioner will provide independent direction and advice on conflict-of-interest-related matters.

The employees of the Office look forward to welcoming the Interim Commissioner in his new role.

The Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner does not have a role in the appointment of a future Commissioner. That responsibility rests with the Governor in Council."

Quick Fact

• Details about the appointment of an interim Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner are found in subsection 82(2) of the Parliament of Canada Act​ and relate to how the Governor in Council may appoint a qualified person for a term not exceeding six months.

Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

Lyne Robinson-Dalpé,
Director, Advisory and Compliance
Ottawa, Ontario, June 20, 2023

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Opening remarks before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics
2023-2024 Main estimates

Sandy Tremplay, Director, Corporate Management
Melanie Rushworth, Director, Communications, Outreach and Planning
Ottawa, Ontario, May 12, 2023

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Ottawa, Ontario, February 14, 2023​

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion has reported on an investigation of the conduct of the Honourable Greg Fergus, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and to the President of the Treasury Board, and Member of Parliament for Hull–Aylmer. He found that Mr. Fergus contravened the Conflict of Interest Act when he wrote a letter of support that was submitted to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

Quotes from Commissi​oner Dion

Ottawa, Ontario, February 14, 2023

"I have been honoured to serve Parliament and Canadians as Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner for the past five years and am grateful for the confidence Parliament has placed in me. It is my hope that I have contributed in some measure to transparency and accountability in support of Canadian democracy.

Those in public office have a sacred duty to always act in the interest of the public they serve. I commend regulatees for taking their obligations under the conflict of interest regimes seriously and working with the Office to achieve and maintain compliance. Many have taken advantage of the learning opportunities offered by the Office as part of its new, proactive approach to education. Their willingness to learn and follow the rules confirms my belief that the vast majority are honest people who want to do the right thing.

I thank all Office employees for their hard work and dedication in helping me fulfill my mandate. This includes developing and following new processes and procedures that have helped the Office become more efficient and effective. Among them are a three-day service standard for responding to regulatees' requests for advice, a transparency-by-default approach to inquiries from the media and members of the public, and a targeted 12-month timeframe for conducting investigations, which we met for all those completed during my mandate.

I firmly believe that educating regulatees and the public about the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest serves to help restore Canadians' trust in public officials and the institutions in which they serve and, ultimately, in our democracy.

The role of Commissioner is a fitting one from which to retire after 43 years o​f public service. Regrettably, I cannot continue to discharge the responsibilities of the position because of persistent health issues and will be stepping down effective February 21, 2023. I wish the Office and the next Commissioner well moving forward."