OTTAWA Senate Liberals are trying to close a loophole that allows cabinet ministers, their staff and deputy ministers to accept gifts and cash from friends without declaring them even if it could be construed as a way of trying to influence their votes.
It is unclear if the Conservatives will back the rule change, one they first rejected nearly eight years ago when it was proposed as an amendment in the Senate.
The Conflict of Interest Act currently states that public office holders and their family members a label that does not apply to backbench MPs or senators but does apply to cabinet ministers and about 3,000 other people appointed by the cabinet cannot accept gifts or other advantages that could be seen as a possible attempt to influence them in the exercise of their powers, duties or functions.
There are exceptions:
Gifts or advantages can be accepted as long as they are given by a relative or friend. The word friend is not defined in the legislation.
Top public officials do not have to disclose to the ethics commissioner gifts worth more than $200 if they are from a relative or friend;
They are also excused from publicly disclosing the donor, a description of the $200 or more gift or advantage, and the circumstances in which it was accepted, if it was given by a relative or friend.
Liberal senator Joseph Day told The Huffington Post Canada on Tuesday that the loophole is so huge the government cannot possibly believe this is accountability.
[It]s a mistake, because anybody can be a friend. Just look at Facebook? How many friends do you have?
When the word friend is undefined, he said, everything can be described as coming from a friend. Sure, sure, hes my friend, he said, a large smile on his lips.
The rest is here:
Liberals In Senate Aim To Close Loophole Allowing Undeclared Gifts