Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake today released his report into a complaint regarding Marie-France Lalonde, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa-Orléans. The complaint was filed by Jagmeet Singh, Member of Provincial Parliament for Bramalea-Gore-Malton under section 30 of the Members’ Integrity Act, 1994.
Based on the information provided in the complaint, the Commissioner did not conduct an inquiry.
“The complaint alleges that Ms. Lalonde contravened Ontario parliamentary convention against using government resources for partisan purposes when on May 27, 2016, the Liberal Caucus Services Bureau issued a news release containing partisan messaging about an upcoming provincial by-election. There is insufficient connection between Ms. Lalonde or any other member and the conduct being complained about for me to conduct an inquiry into whether there has been a breach of the Act or parliamentary convention.”
Parliamentary convention is a unique feature of the Act, finding its core principles in the preamble. The full report can be found at www.oico.on.ca under MPP Integrity. The Commissioner is not available for interviews.
About the OIC
The Office of the Integrity Commissioner has five key responsibilities:
- Members’ Integrity
- Public service disclosure of wrongdoing (whistle-blowing)
- Expenses review for Cabinet Ministers, Opposition Leaders, and 21 of Ontario’s largest agencies
- Ministers’ staff ethical conduct
- Lobbyists registration
An Officer of the Legislative Assembly, the Integrity Commissioner is independent of government.
More information on the OIC and its work is available at www.oico.on.ca.
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Contact:
Andrew Willis
Communications Coordinator
Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario
416-314-5902
andrew.willis@oico.on.ca