Skip to Main content

16.07°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Apr 20, 2023 7:05 PM - The Canadian Press

Minister's sister-in-law steps down as ethics watchdog after committee launches probe

Share On

ministers-sister-in-law-steps-down-as-ethics-watchdog-after-committee-launches-probe

A statement from the office of the conflict of interest and ethics commissioner says Richard will stay on as a lawyer while the search for a new leader continues (Photo: The Canadian Press)

The sister-in-law of a Liberal cabinet minister has stepped down as the interim ethics commissioner a day after a House of Commons committee agreed to investigate her appointment.

Martine Richard, who has worked in the commissioner's office as a lawyer since 2013, took over the top job last month for a six-month stint.

Richard is the sister-in-law of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who was found to have breached conflict-of-interest rules in 2018 for approving a lucrative fishing licence for a family member while he was fisheries minister.

A statement from the office of the conflict of interest and ethics commissioner says Richard will stay on as a lawyer while the search for a new leader continues.

A spokeswoman says neither the office nor Richard will respond to further questions on the subject.

On Tuesday, the committee on access to information, privacy and ethics agreed to study Richard's appointment over the course of three hearings, and to invite her and LeBlanc to testify.

Latest news

power-outages-infrastructure-damage-reported-after-7-1-magnitude-earthquake-strikes-japans-kumamoto-region

WorldJul 28, 2026

Power outages, infrastructure damage reported after 7.1-magnitude earthquake strikes Japan's Kumamoto region

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southern Kumamoto region on Tuesday, causing widespread power outages, damage to roads and buildings, and disrupting transportation, according to Japanese authorities. Police said several people are believed to be trapped under debris following structural collapses. Authorities have also warned residents to remain alert for strong aftershocks. Local reports indicate that more than 50 injured people were admitted to one hospital, while several others were hurt after a bullet train reportedly derailed during the earthquake. Officials initially issued a t

AlbertaJul 28, 2026

Calgary hiker dies after fall on Mount Temple route in Banff National Park

A 65-year-old Calgary man has died after falling while hiking the Mount Temple scrambling route in Banff National Park, according to Parks Canada. Parks Canada said visitor safety specialists responded after receiving a report that the man had slipped and fallen while hiking with a group on Saturday. Members of the group were able to call for emergency assistance. Rescue crews reached the area by helicopter and used a heli-sling to transport the man to a staging area. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Parks Canada said. Mount Temple is one of Banff National Park's most popular and demanding

surrey-mayor-brenda-locke-criticizes-metro-vancouver-governance-reforms-as-inadequate

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke criticizes Metro Vancouver governance reforms as inadequate

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says Metro Vancouver's decision to reduce the size of its governance board does not address what she describes as longstanding inequities in the regional voting system. According to a statement from Locke, Metro Vancouver's decision to reduce the number of board directors from 45 to 34 will make the board smaller but will not resolve what she called an unfair distribution of voting power. She said the Village of Belcarra, with a population of fewer than 1,000 residents, holds one full vote on the board, while Surrey, despite having a population hundreds of times large

WorldJul 27, 2026

Kaduna Village Attack Leaves About 30 Dead, Including Children

At least 30 people were killed after armed attackers raided a village in Nigeria's northwestern Kaduna state early Monday, according to local residents. The victims include eight children, while four other people were injured. Dogon Rana, secretary to the village chief, said the attackers entered the community, opened fire indiscriminately, and set several homes ablaze. He said many of those killed were women, children, and elderly residents. According to Rana, the attackers fled the area after carrying out the assault. Local residents said security forces arrived in the village several hours

CanadaJul 27, 2026

Etobicoke Uber driver charged after alleged sexual assaults in Burlington

Halton Regional Police have arrested a 25-year-old Etobicoke man in connection with two alleged sexual assaults involving the same woman in Burlington. Police identified the accused as Mandeep Singh and said he was working as an Uber driver at the time of the incident. According to Halton Regional Police, the incident occurred at about 5:15 p.m. on June 16 near the south parking lot of the Burlington GO Station. Investigators allege Singh approached the woman and began speaking with her before sexually assaulting her. Police further allege that after the woman left the area, the accused follow

Related News

Etobicoke Uber driver charged after alleged sexual assaults in Burlington

Etobicoke Uber driver charged after alleged sexual assaults in Burlington

Halton Regional Police have arrested a 25-year-old Etobicoke man in connection with two alleged sexual assaults involving the same woman in Burlington. Police identified the accused as Mandeep Singh and said he was working as an Uber driver at the time of the incident. According to Halton Regional Police, the incident occurred at about 5:15 p.m. on June 16 near the south parking lot of the Burlington GO Station. Investigators allege Singh approached the woman and began speaking with her before sexually assaulting her. Police further allege that after the woman left the area, the accused follow

Gunfire damages U.S. Consulate building in Toronto

Gunfire damages U.S. Consulate building in Toronto

The U.S. Consulate at the intersection of University Avenue and Armoury Street in downtown Toronto was struck by gunfire early Monday morning, according to Toronto Police. No injuries were reported. Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said the shooting occurred at approximately 4:45 a.m. while police officers were already present in the area. Investigators confirmed that at least one bullet struck the front of the consulate building. Police said the suspect fled the scene in a white Honda Accord sedan without licence plates. Officers briefly pursued the vehicle but discontinued the chase out of concern

Carney calls federal byelections in B.C., Ontario and Quebec for Aug. 31

Carney calls federal byelections in B.C., Ontario and Quebec for Aug. 31

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced federal byelections in three vacant ridings in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Voting will take place on Aug. 31, with advance polls scheduled from Aug. 21 to Aug. 24. According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Elections Canada, the vacant seats include North Vancouver–Capilano in British Columbia, Beaches–East York in Toronto, and Chicoutimi–Le Fjord in Quebec. The North Vancouver–Capilano seat became vacant after former Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson was appointed Canada's ambassador to the European Union. Beaches–East York was v

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital