Would-be ethics watchdog won't commit to keep Trudeau, Morneau files open

The nominee for federal ethics watchdog won't commit to completing ongoing investigations into the prime minister or finance minister if he gets the job.

But Mario Dion tells the House of Commons ethics committee that if he is appointed, reviewing the files would be a top priority so he could understand them fully before deciding if and how they should proceed.

Outgoing conflict of interest and ethics commissioner Mary Dawson is currently looking into a trip Justin Trudeau took to the Aga Khan's private island last Christmas, as well as the finance minister's role in tabling new pension legislation that could impact his family's company.

• Mario Dion nominated as new federal ethics watchdog
• Liberals want to be global leader on open government, but face complaints at home

But with Dawson's term at an end, there's no guarantee those reviews will be completed before she leaves and no requirement for her successor to do so.

Both the NDP and the Tories have expressed frustration with how the search for Dawson's replacement was handled, saying they were never consulted by the government.

Dion told the committee he decided to apply for the job in August and was interviewed in mid-November for about an hour before being named to the post this week.

Chagger and Cullen on the nomination of a new Ethics Commissioner

7 years ago

Duration 0:51

Government House Leader Bardish Chagger trumpets the process that found a new Ethics Commissioner and BC NDP MP Nathan Cullen expresses his dismay