Ethics Investigation of Emerson Switch

Bernard Shapiro, the Ethics Commissioner for the House of Commons, is beginning a preliminary investigation into whether Prime Minister Stephen Harper complied with the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of Parliament when he persuaded his new International Trade Minister David Emerson to switch from the Liberals to the Conservative Party. Shapiro will also be investigating Emerson, who was elected as a Liberal in Vancouver Kingsway on January 23, but was sworn in as a Conservative cabinet minister just two weeks later. Three opposition MPs have complained to the Commissioner that Emerson may have received an "inducement" to cross the floor to become a Conservative Cabinet minister. The Ethics Commissioner has also received requests from the public to undertake an inquiry into David Emerson's actions.

While David Emerson has said he will co-operate with any findings of the Ethics Commissioner, the Prime Minister wasn't taking the news of an investigation quite so smoothly. Harper's spokesperson Sandra Buckler told reporters that "this Liberal appointee's actions have strengthened the Prime Minister's resolve to create a truly non-partisan Ethics Commissioner, who is accountable to Parliament" and she indicated the prime minister's office would not co-operate with the investigation.

Bernard Shapiro is the first Ethics Commissioner of Canada. He was appointed by the Liberal government in 2004 and reports to the House of Commons. He has had a rocky course in the position, and was himself found in contempt of the House by a parliamentary committee last year over his investigation of a Conservative member of parliament.

More on ethics and Emerson switch:

Ethics Watchdogs for Parliament

Ex-Liberal minister from B.C. joins Harper

PM Attacks Ethics Chief