CONFIDENTIAL
July 16, 2020
Sent by email to: Michael.Barrett@parl.gc.ca
Mr. Michael Barrett
Member of Parliament for Leeds–Grenville–
Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes
Wellington Building, Room 565
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Subject: Examination under the Conflict of Interest Act
Dear Mr. Barrett:
I am writing to you in response to your letter dated July 10, 2020, in which you request that I
examine the conduct of the Honourable Bill Morneau, P.C., M.P., Minister of Finance, in relation
to the administration of the Canada Student Service Grant. I have also received additional
requests for an examination into the matter by three other Members of Parliament.
In your letter, you allege that, given Mr. Morneau’s family ties with WE Charity and his
participation in discussions relating to the decision to have the organization administer the
Canada Student Service Grant, Mr. Morneau furthered the private interests of WE Charity in
contravention of subsection 6(1) of the Conflict of Interest Act (Act). This provision prohibits
public office holders from making any decision or participating in the making of a decision that
furthers their private interests or improperly furthers the private interests of another person.
You also allege that, given Mr. Morneau’s family’s involvement with WE Charity, he had a duty
to recuse himself from any discussion or decision relating to the organization, in contravention
of section 21 of the Act.
I have considered your request and am of the view that it satisfies the requirements set out in
subsection 44(2) of the Act. I am therefore commencing an examination under subsection 44(3)
of the Act into a possible contravention of subsection 6(1) and section 21. I have informed
Mr. Morneau accordingly.

ciec-ccie.parl.gc.ca
PARLIAMENT OF CANADA

PARLEMENT DU CANADA

66 Slater Street, 22nd floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

66, rue Slater, 22e étage
Ottawa (Ontario) K1A 0A6

@EthicsCanada   @EthiqueCanada
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613.995.0721
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In your letter, you have also raised other provisions of the Act, including sections 7 and 9. On
the basis of the information provided, there are no reasonable grounds to pursue an
examination of these provisions at this time and I have so informed Mr. Morneau.
Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.
Sincerely,

Mario Dion
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner