If he had been re-elected, former MP Joe Peschisolido could have faced sanctions from Parliament for not disclosing his private interests.
Mario Dion, the Interests and Ethics Commissioner, released the Peschisolido Report this week after the former Steveston-Richmond East MP was flagged for not disclosing changes in his financial and personal situation.
Dion concluded Peschisolido failed to disclose $10,000 in a shareholder’s loan, $10,000 in a personal guarantee of debt, a change in marital status and a statement of private interests of a family member as well as a change of status in his corporation.
“Given Mr. Peschisolido’s chronic failure to comply with the Code’s disclosure requirements, there is no doubt in my mind I would have recommended that Parliament impose appropriate sanctions,” Dion said in a release. “I did not do so because Mr. Peschisolido is no longer a Member of the House of Commons.”
MPs are required to file a confidential statement of their private interests within 60 days of becoming an MP, including information about members of their family. Any changes need to be disclosed within 60 days to the commissioner.
In his statement, Dion explained disclosure of private interests allows the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner to advise MPs how to avoid conflicts of interest.
“It is a key foundation of some of the Code’s fundamental purposes, including to maintain and enhance public confidence,” he added.
