The Commissioner for Ethics and Professional Conduct has launched an inquiry into “possible breaches of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct” by Housing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau.
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“The alleged facts concern the minister’s attendance on 5 December 2022 at a professional meeting with her friend and business partner, Ms Annie Lemieux, who acted as a lobbyist with her and the minister responsible for senior citizens in this regard.” Commissioner Ariane Mignolet said in a press release.
The opening of this inquiry follows a request by Liberal MP Monsef Derraji, who told Ms Mignolet he had “reasonable grounds to believe that the Minister has breached Sections 15 and 16 of the Code on the basis of conflicts of interest.”
In his application, Mr Derraji pointed to the short time span between Ms Duranceau’s swearing-in as Minister for Housing and the meeting between her and Annie Lemieux, who is a shareholder in several companies active in the real estate sector. The two women are also business partners in three companies.
On Monday, Prime Minister François Legault defended his minister by pointing out that the two women’s business was “no longer operational” and that the meeting took place because Ms Lemieux was studying the possibility of developing residential homes for the elderly (RPA) . ).
“It has nothing to do with what they have done in the past,” whispered the Prime Minister.
Shortly after being sworn in, Minister Duranceau also sought an opinion from the Ethics Commissioner to ensure that the fact that she owns property companies would not put her in a conflict of interest.
The minister’s office indicated last March that it had received the green light from Ms Mignolet, but without publishing its opinion.