Public records contradict Boissonnault business associate’s testimony to ethics committee

Liberal cabinet minister Randy Boissonnault’s former business partner made several statements to the parliamentaryethics committee that contradict public records obtained by Global News.

Interviews, corporate records and legal documents contradict some key facts of Stephen Anderson’s July 17 testimony about Global Health Imports (GHI), the company he co-owned with Boissonnault until last month.

The statements include how many people GHI employed and when it ceased operations.

Committee members questioned Anderson on whether Boissonnault remained involved in the medical supply business after he joined cabinet, which would be in breach of federal ethics laws.

Anderson denied Boissonnault was involved in the company and said autocorrect caused him to reference “Randy” nine times in text messages to a buyer. He also admitted to lying to Global News about the identity of “Randy,” leaving some committee members wary of the truthfulness of his remarks.

“No one at this committee believes you. Canadians don’t believe you,” Larry Brock said during the hearing.

If a person deliberately misleads the committee or fails to answer committee questions or provide documents, its members can report it to the House of Commons. MPs will then vote on whether to find a witness in contempt of Parliament.

Conservative ethics critic Michael Barrett said that Global News’ findings further indicate Anderson “isn’t one to be believed.”

“It tells us everything we need to know about the kind of company that Randy Boissonnault keeps,” he said.

Witnesses are expected to tell the truth when testifying, NDP ethics critic Matthew Green told Global News.

“To learn that he provided the committee with incorrect information is very disappointing, but perhaps not overly