2023-06-20 19:32:57
The Commissioner for Ethics and Professional Conduct has opened an investigation into “possible breaches of the code of ethics and professional conduct” by the Minister responsible for Housing, France-Élaine Duranceau.
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“The alleged facts concern the Minister’s participation, on December 5, 2022, in a professional meeting with her friend and business partner, Ms. Annie Lemieux, who acted in this context as a lobbyist with her and with the Minister responsible for Seniors,” Commissioner Ariane Mignolet said in a press release.
The opening of this investigation follows a request from Liberal MP Monsef Derraji, who told Ms. Mignolet that he has “reasonable grounds to believe that the Minister has committed breaches of sections 15 and 16 of the Code in of conflicts of interest.”
In his motion, Mr. Derraji pointed out the short lapse of time between the swearing in of Ms. Duranceau as Minister of Housing, and the meeting between her and Annie Lemieux, who is a shareholder in several companies active in real estate. The two women are also business partners in three companies.
On Monday, Prime Minister François Legault defended his minister by pointing out that the business of the two women “is no longer in operation”, and that the meeting took place because Ms. Lemieux is evaluating the possibility of developing residences for the elderly ( RPA).
“It has nothing to do with what they have done in the past,” whispered the Prime Minister.
Shortly following her swearing in, Minister Duranceau had also requested an opinion from the Ethics Commissioner to ensure that the fact that she owns real estate 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, without however making its opinion public.
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