Conflict of Interest Allegations: Heather Stefanson’s First Hearing adjourned

Heather Stefanson allegedly failed to disclose real estate sales worth more than $ 31 million. The leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party, Dougald Lamont, has taken the unprecedented step of bringing this complaint to court.

In fact, Manitoba’s Conflict of Interest Commissioner has no power to investigate or punish violations of the disclosure rules, but citizens can choose to file an affidavit with the Court of Bench of Queen, in the amount of $ 300, to request a hearing from one judge to another judge.

Mr. Lamont chose this route and represented himself in court.

There is a long history of scandals in Manitoba […]but no one is responsible and faced with its consequenceshe explains.

Dougald Lamont asked a question of justice and declared that it was inappropriate for the Prime Minister to carry out these real estate sales and pass expropriation law while he was the owner of the real estate. Heather Stefanson was an MP at the material time.

Earlier this year, he claimed it was a administration on his part for not notifying the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly within 30 days from the sale of an asset.

The three Winnipeg rental and commercial properties in question are owned by McDonald’s Grain Company Ltd., a real estate holding company that counts Heather Stefanson among its directors. They got a combined $ 31.2 million in sales in 2016 and 2019.

If the judge determines that a member of the Legislative Assembly has violated the Conflict of Interest Act, he or she may be ordered to release all or part of the assets, pay a fine of up to $ 5,000, be suspended for up to 90 days or pay restitution. in government.

The NDP Opposition first asked Conflict of Interest Commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor to comment on Ms Stefanson’s failure to disclose, but Schnoor replied that he could not give the MP his view on another Member’s obligations under the law.

With information from Ian Froese