The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner can investigate possible contraventions of the
Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.
Investigations under the Code are called "inquiries."
Any Member who has reasonable grounds to believe another Member has contravened the Code may ask the Commissioner to investigate by submitting a request that meets certain criteria.
When a valid request for an inquiry is received, the Commissioner must forward the request without delay to the Member named in it and give them 30 days to respond.
After receiving the response, the Office conducts a preliminary review to determine if an inquiry is warranted. Within 15 working days of receiving the response, it notifies the Members involved whether or not the Commissioner will conduct an inquiry.
The House of Commons may also direct the Commissioner to conduct an inquiry, although this has not yet occurred.
The Commissioner may also launch an inquiry on the Commissioner's own initiative if there is reason to believe the Code has been contravened. We review information
about possible contraventions that the Office receives, including through media reports or complaints from members of the public. Some of these reviews lead to inquiries. If you are interested in making a request for investigation, you are welcome to send specific information for the Commissioner's consideration. Before doing so, you might wish to consult this request for an inquiry form. Although it is only for the use of Members of the House of Commons, it can help you identify the kind of information the Commissioner needs in order to decide whether or not to investigate.
When the Commissioner completes an inquiry, a public report is issued.
Inquiry reports are tabled in the House of Commons.
Backgrounder on Investigations under the Code
Investigation Report Summaries
