Ottawa, ON – Aaron Gunn, Conservative Shadow Minister for Ethics and Accountable Government, released the following statement:
“Canadians learned that Lori Idlout, Liberal Member of Parliament for Nunavut, was found guilty of violating Section 8 of the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.
“In 2025, when still with the NDP, Ms Idlout used her taxpayer-funded budget to purchase more than $2,000 in gifts from her own business in Iqaluit. She also used her travel budget to stay at a bed and breakfast owned by her spouse.
“These were serious lapses in judgement and, as a parliamentarian, Ms Idlout should have known better. New MPs are made abundantly aware that taxpayer funds cannot be used to further their own private interest.
“In fact, the Ethics Commissioner’s report noted that Ms Idlout had been explicitly advised as far back in 2022 that she could not use taxpayer money to purchase gifts from her own business. She did so anyway.
“When an elected official violates the trust placed in them, there needs to be consequences. We are disappointed the Ethics Commissioner, despite finding Ms. Idlout guilty, recommended that no sanction be imposed.
“That’s why Conservatives campaigned last election on increasing fines for ethics violations and enforcing tax transparency. It’s also why my colleague Michael Barrett introduced his Private Member’s Bill C-405 in the last Parliament, which would have increased the penalties for perjury and contempt.
“Conservatives will always fight for a Parliament that is honest and accountable, where our legislators earn the trust and respect of Canadians.”