Ethics investigations can only go so far, commissioner reminds Canadians

OTTAWA – As the federal ethics commissioner readies for a look at Stephen Harper’s former right-hand man, Mary Dawson is reminding Canadians her office can only look so far.

The commissioner is examining whether Harper’s chief of staff Nigel Wright violated the Conflict of Interest Act when he gave Tory Sen. Mike Duffy more than $90,000 to repay his housing expenses.

The Conservative government has repeatedly cited the ethics commissioner’s investigation as a step being taken to deal with an issue infuriating Canadians.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, Dawson said she couldn’t talk specifically about her probe into the matter as investigations by her office are confidential.

But she stressed that in all cases of possible ethical violations, her office must examine whether someone broke the actual rules, not just that it seems they did.

Wright is no stranger to Dawson; her office was involved in setting guidelines for his work as chief of staff to the prime minister after he left the private sector and investigated but cleared him of allegations he used his influential position to further private interests of friends.