Arthur Porter gave money to federal Conservatives while heading spy watchdog

OTTAWA – Arthur Porter was a donor to the federal Tories during his time at Canada’s spy watchdog — even though such donations appear to run afoul of the rules.

Elections Canada records show Porter gave the Tories the maximum donation allowed by law in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

That period covers the weeks leading up to his appointment to the Security Intelligence Review Committee, through to his rise as chairman.

The former head of SIRC now faces allegations of fraud in one of the country’s most expensive infrastructure projects.

The Canadian government is trying to extradite Porter from the Bahamas, where he runs a medical clinic and is apparently cancer-stricken.

A spokesman for the review committee says members are supposed to abide by rules that ban political donations, joining a party or running as a candidate in an election.