Investigations under the Act are called “examinations.”
The Commissioner can launch an examination of a possible contravention of the
Conflict of Interest Act at the request of a Senator or a Member of the House of Commons who provides reasonable grounds to believe the Act has been contravened. The Commissioner may also consider information from the public that is brought to their attention by a Senator or a Member of the House of Commons.
The Commissioner can also self-initiate an examination where there is reason to believe that the Act has been contravened. Although members of the public cannot request that an examination be conducted, the Commissioner may consider information received from members of the public and other public sources.
The Commissioner issues a
public report upon the completion of an examination. When the Commissioner decides to discontinue an examination launched in response to a request from a Senator or Member, a discontinuance report is issued.
While the Conflict of Interest Act does not provide for any sanctions for contraventions found in an examination, a report is provided to the Prime Minister. The direct result of an examination report is shedding light on the activity examined. It is up to the Prime Minister to implement any further action. As set out in section 19 of the Conflict of Interest Act, compliance with the Act is a condition of a person’s appointment and employment as a public office holder.
The only penalties provided for in the Act are administrative monetary penalties, which the Commissioner may impose on reporting public office holders who fail to meet certain reporting deadlines. However, those penalties do NOT apply in the case of examinations.
Information notice on Investigations under the Act
Investigation Report Summaries
