Conservatives start process to find Boissonnault’s business partner in contempt of Parliament

Conservatives have initiated the process to find the business partner of cabinet minister Randy Boissonnault in contempt of Parliament.

In a report tabled on Tuesday, parliamentary ethics committee chair John Brassard wrote that Stephen Anderson, the chief operating officer of Global Health Imports, failed to comply with committee orders.

The report states Anderson failed to provide documents ordered by the committee on two occasions and refused to answer questions posed by MPs during his July testimony. It did not make a specific recommendation for the House to find Anderson in contempt.

Anderson is a central figure in the committee’s inquiry into allegations that Employment Minister Boissonnault breached ethics rules by communicating with Anderson about a business deal while in office. Conflict of interest laws prohibit ministers from operating or managing businesses while in office.

On Tuesday, Tory ethics critic Michael Barrett raised a question of privilege in the House of Commons based on the report, arguing that Anderson is in contempt of Parliament.

“I trust the House won’t start giving out free passes to those who think they can trifle at will with Parliament and parliamentary investigations,” he said.

Assistant Deputy Speaker Alexandra Mendès said she would take it under advisement.

A person can be found in contempt of Parliament if they deliberately mislead a committee, refuse to answer questions or fail to provide documents — actions that interfere with committees’ abilities to perform their functions.

The Edmonton Centre MP denies he was involved with the medical supply company after he was re-elected in 2021 and said he has followed ethics rules. He is scheduled to testify before the ethics committee for a second