Liberals Call for Ethics Committee Investigation of PMO Ethics Scandal

May 21, 2013

OTTAWA– Liberal Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics critic Scott Andrews made the following statement today on the PMO Ethics scandal:

“The revelations about ethical misconduct in the Prime Minister’s Office are truly outrageous to Canadians. That is why today I gave notice of motion at the House of Commons Ethics committee calling for a thorough investigation into this matter.

The Liberal Party will be calling on the Ethics committee to invite as witnesses the Prime Minister, former and current senior PMO staffers, as well as Conservative Senate leaders and Senator Mike Duffy.

It is of paramount importance that Canadians be assured of transparency and full disclosure by this government, and thus far, Mr. Harper has failed to answer Canadians’ very valid questions.

We trust we will receive the support of all parties – including Conservative MPs – in order to get to the bottom of this troubling scandal. While Mr. Harper may call it a ‘distraction’, Canadians expect real answers and the truth, and Liberals will continue to work on their behalf.”

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Background:

Mr. Andrews’ motion submitted to the House of Commons Ethics committee is as follows:

That the Committee hold hearings on the conduct of public office holders in relation to the handling of the repayment of Senate expenses by Senator Mike Duffy and the conduct of officials in the Prime Minister`s Office in this process, and that the witness list include but not be limited to:

• Senator Mike Duffy
• Senator David Tkachuk
• Senator Marjory LeBreton