Canada’s ethics czar wants greater powers to sanction ministers who break rules
OTTAWA — Canada’s ethics watchdog says he would like to have greater powers to impose penalties against cabinet ministers and public office holders who violate conflict rules, including the ability to levy fines of up to $10,000.
Conflict of Interest Commissioner Mario Dion says he believes strongly in the importance of upholding ethics rules in government, but the current conflict of interest law offers him limited powers of action when someone does break the rules.
“I would really like to have the power to express a point of view as (to) the gravity of the contravention when we find a contravention, (and) what kind of sanctions should be taken,” he told The Canadian Press in an interview.
“It’s important to know that there will be consequences if you don’t respect something.”