New CETA envoy's background 'raises serious questions,' Conservative MP says

A Conservative member of Parliament is raising ethical concerns about the Liberal government's new special envoy for theCanada-EUComprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

• Pierre Pettigrew named CETA envoy
• Analysis: EU members unsure how to apply CETA, 2 months from signing

Gerry Ritz, Conservative MP forBattlefordsLloydminster and a former agriculture minister, wants the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner to look into formerinternational trade ministerPierrePettigrew'sbusiness affiliations, according to a letter obtained by CBC News.

Ritz's won't get far with the request, however, as the commissioner's office says Pettigrew is not a reporting public office holder and therefore outside of the scope of the Conflict of Interest Act.

Last week, International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland announced Pettigrew will help shepherd CETA through the ratification process, connect with businesses in Europe and Canada and promote the deal once it's completed.

"He brings with him a lifetime of international experience and a profound dedication to public service,"Freelandsaid at the time.

Resource company connections

But it's his dedication to various corporate boards that concerns Ritz.

In aletter to ethics commissioner Mary Dawson,dated Monday, the international trade critic points outPettigrewis the executive adviser on international forDeloitteCanada, an advisory board member for Forbes Manhattan andconsultant forFuraEmerald (which owns an emerald mining concession in Colombia)and Copper One, a mineral exploration company in Quebec.

He also sits on the board of directors for Black Iron Inc.,SullidenMining Capital, IC Potash Corporation and Brazil Potash Corporation.

"This appointment raises serious questions about what steps have been taken to ensure Mr. Pettigrew's new role does not conflict with his role serving on the boards of various corporations while serving in this position," reads the letter.

The former Jean Chrtien-eracabinet ministeralso has his own management company, and "it is very unclear whatPettigrewInternational does," Ritz writes.

'Ethical wall' suggested

The Saskatchewan Conservative MP wrote to ask ifPettigrewshould be considered a reporting public office holder. That would open him up to a long list of rules to follow under the Conflict of Interest Act, and he'd be subject to its public disclosure provisions.Reporting public office holders are alsosubject to prohibitionsagainst outside activities and holding controlled assets.

Ritz goes on to suggest Dawson instructPettigrewto create an "ethical wall" to prevent him using his position for private gain.

A spokesperson for the conflict ofinterestoffice said Dawson "hasverifiedthat the position of envoy for Canada-EU does not fall within the definition ofareporting public office holder and therefore, Mr. Pettigrew is not subject to theConflict of Interest Act."

A spokeswoman for Freeland's office said they consulted with the conflict of interest commissioner before Pettigrew's appointment and posted his affiliations online.

Lauded by other Conservatives

"If Gerry Ritz truly supports ratification of this important trade deal, he would join prominent Conservatives like former foreign minister John Baird and former Mulroney minister Perrin Beatty, who both praised Mr. Pettigrew's appointment," Anne-LouiseChauvette wrote in an email.

Sheadded that the negotiating stage of CETA deal is over, and Pettigrew's new job is more about promoting the agreement.

"Governments around the world and at every level of government in Canada have employed the expertise of business community leaders to fulfil specific mandates. For example, Jeff Immelt formally advises (U.S.) President (Barack) Obama as chair of the president's council on jobs and competitiveness, while also serving as chairman and CEO of GE," said Chauvette.

CETA still needs to be approved by the European Council the heads of state or government for all 28 member states of the EU, plus the head of the European Commission and president of the EU.

If the deal is approved in Europe, it is expected Trudeau would travel to Brussels, where he would sign the deal the following week.

After the signing, a ratification vote in the EU Parliament could take place later this year or in early 2017. After the vote, 90 per cent of the deal would apply provisionally, according to Canadian officials.

The agreement will then still have to be passed by a vote in each individual member state's legislature before it is fully ratified.

Leaked EC committee meeting notes posted online by the website Politico earlier this month suggested that some member countries were still suggestingamendmentsor reserving the right to request further changes to the deal.

But Pettigrew said in an interview with CBC News Network's Power & Politics last week that he's confident CETA will be completed.

Pierre Pettigrew on CETA and the TPP

8 years ago

Duration 0:37

Former Liberal minister of foreign affairs Pierre Pettigrew discusses his new role as CETA envoy and the prospects for getting the deal signed in October.