Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson says the justice minister did not break any rules by attending a fundraiser in a Toronto law office Thursday night, but MPs should consider tougher rules to better separate fundraising from official business.
Guests paid $500 a ticket to attend the 鈥減rivate reception鈥� with Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould in the Toronto offices of international law firm Torys LLP. Proceeds from the event went to the Liberal Party of Canada.
Wilson-Raybould said appearing at the event with lawyers was not a conflict of interest because she attended as an MP, not in her capacity as the attorney general.
鈥淟ike all members of Parliament, we engage members of the public. That involves a fundraising component, that's why I'm here as an MP for Vancouver Granville,鈥� she told 麻豆影视.
"Certainly the responsibility is expected by the party, and an opportunity that I embrace to raise money for the party."
Dawson said the event did not violate the Conflict of Interest Act, but also said the law is weak on party fundraising.
鈥淭he rules are very scant,鈥� she told 麻豆影视.
The Liberal Party has said all of its fundraising activities are fully compliant with Elections Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the issue Thursday, and said 鈥渨e abide by all the rules and principles engaged in fundraising, making sure there are no corporate donations, no union donations, that there are strict limitations on how much an individual can donate."
But the Conservatives said they shouldn鈥檛 be enticing donors with special access to cabinet ministers.
If donors contribute at least $1,500 to the Liberal Party they can join the Laurier Club. It offers invitations 鈥渢o exclusive Laurier Club events across the country, attended by prominent members of the Liberal Party,鈥� according to the party鈥檚 website.
鈥淲ith the Laurier Club, you have people paying $1,500 for preferential access -- it says right on the Liberal website: updates and insider briefings,鈥� said Conservative MP Garnett Genuis.
鈥淭hat clearly offends the sensibility of Canadians.鈥�
With a report by CTV鈥檚 Senior Political Correspondent Glen McGregor
